Trash and Recycling
Pay-As-You-Throw Update: The prices of bags increased on March 15, 2026, to $3.50 for a small (15 gallon) yellow bag, and $4.75 for a large (32 gallon) bag. This is the first time these prices have ever been raised, since the beginning of the Pay-As-You-Throw program over 10 years ago. The increase is intended to account for inflation and to help cover the operational expenses incurred by the disposal of trash.
Have general questions about trash pick-up? Contact the Department of Public Works at 802-254-4255.
You can determine whether trash is picked up at your residence on an A week or a B week by checking this document.
View the A/B Pay as You Throw Calendar below or click here.
Holidays
Trash and recycling are NOT picked up on the holidays listed below. Pick-up during these holiday weeks is delayed by one day.
- New Year's Day
- Memorial Day
- 4th of July
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day — Monday through Wednesday: normal pick-up; Thursday pick-up will be Friday.
- Christmas Day
Recycling & Compost Bins
Brattleboro residents can purchase recycling and compost bins at the Finance Department, located in Suite 111 of the Municipal Center. Recycling bins cost $15; compost bins cost $30.
Pay as You Throw Program
PAYT Bags: If your trash, recycling, and compost are picked up at your curb by the Town’s contractor, you must purchase special yellow or purple PAYT bags for your trash.
- Two sizes of PAYT bags – 15 and 32 gallon
- Type of bag – 1.5 mil, drawstring (made w/ recycled content)
- Color of the bags – Yellow (small) & Purple (large)
- Cost per bag – $3.50 each for 15-gallon; $4.75 each for 32-Gallon
- Packaged in rolls – 5 bags per roll ($17.50 and $23.75)
Stores that sell PAYT bags:
- Hannaford Supermarket (Putney Rd.)
- Market 32 (Canal St.)
- Brown and Roberts Hardware (downtown)
- Brattleboro Food Co-op (downtown)
- Cumberland Farms (West Brattleboro)
- Hamshaw Lumber (West Brattleboro)
Lost/Abandoned Items on Town Property
In an effort to keep Brattleboro’s streets, parks, and properties safe and clean, the Department of Public Works and Recreation and Parks work in coordination with our Health Officers, Police, Fire, and other officials to remove garbage, debris, and any other loose items throughout Town. When doing so, we occasionally find items that are abandoned or lost.
While removing an item from Town property, if it is determined to be something other than garbage that is not a risk to our staff, we will retain the item for fourteen days before disposing it. If someone has lost an item, they may contact Public Works at 802-254-4255 or Recreation and Parks at 802-254-5808 to set up an appointment to retrieve the item.
Guides